Scilly’s MP Promises Independent Guide For EU Referendum

Scilly’s MP says he is “more than likely to vote to leave” the European Union in the referendum planned for 23rd June.

But Derek Thomas, who describes himself as, “a settled Euro-sceptic” says he wants the electorate to receive reliable, independent information about the UK’s membership of the EU.

He says the issue will dominate politics and the media for the next four months and it will be difficult for voters to know who to believe.

“Many people have firm views regarding how they intend to vote in June,” says Derek.

“However, many others are unclear about what membership of the EU actually means for the UK and media coverage over the next few months may not help to clarify things for them.”

Derek recently welcomed Gabriel Dreiman, an American intern, to work in his Westminster office as part of the Hansard Scholar Programme and he’s asked Gabriel to produce an independent guide to the pros and cons of our membership of the EU.

Derek is inviting islanders to forward any questions or queries that they would like Gabriel to address in his guide.

“As an American, Gabriel is well placed to collate the information and produce an independent guide that I hope will be useful as people prepare to vote,” says Derek.

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Does anyone know if the Council has done any contingency planning for Brexit?

High Lanes Drifter February 28, 2016 at 9:46 pm

I am convinced that a host of new staff will have been taken on using a grant just to evaluate our options. The result of their deliberations is by now all too easily predicted and involves a significant overspend

Sara Corbett February 24, 2016 at 1:30 pm

The people of Scilly have benefitted so much from EU funds for projects that would not have been able to be considered but for these grants. In view of this, if nothing else, they would be crazy to vote to that UK out of the EU. I accept that there are many things wrong with the EU but if you don’t belong you can’t change anything.

Adam Morton, St.Martins February 24, 2016 at 5:29 pm

Sorry but the EU funding is derived from a portion of what we pay in with a lot taken off for bureaucracy. The EU is no friend to fishermen who are a significant portion of the electorate in this constituency. The fish export market in Europe was damaged by the strong pound and then the economic crisis. The only consideration for staying in is the fact that much of the tourism economy is reliant on migrant workers and that two world wars demand that effort on unity is made!

Henry February 24, 2016 at 7:16 pm

You do realise that the money from the EU came from the UK anyway? In fact, the UK puts more money into the EU than it gets out… it is a “net contributor”.

Ian T. February 27, 2016 at 11:43 am

Henry, it is obvious that, as a comparatively rich country, we were always going to put in more than we got out. You can’y have it both ways. Perhaps you would rather the UK be in the sort of position that Ireland, Portugal, greece, etc. have been and still are in?

Lambsy February 28, 2016 at 10:40 am

…… Join the dots Ian, we never got sucked into the Euro!

Ian T. February 28, 2016 at 2:37 pm

Perhaps you were too young to vote in 1971..? Unfortunately, we didn’t really get what we thouggt we were voting for i.e. a free trade area.

Henry February 29, 2016 at 1:15 pm

Ian, the point is that the supposedly “EU money” Cornwall and Scilly gets is actually British money that goes via Brussels. If the UK left the EU we could spend our EU subs on our own country directly… and actually (because we are a net contributor) have more to spend on areas like Cornwall & Scilly!

Pete March 2, 2016 at 11:18 am

EG. Parkhouse. Education. And if Prince Charles throws a couple of quid in, maybe a new Boat for us.